Can We Say We're Sorry?

The Sunday, December 4th New York Times' Sunday Review section includes an article titled "Im Sorry: The Scariest Words in Politics," in which the author opines about how American presidents have related to other governments. After reading the article (see link below) and summarizing it, give your opinion in the blog and share it with your classmates for extra credit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/opinion/sunday/im-sorry-the-scariest-words-in-politics.html?ref=opinion

"Policy-Making" Billionaires?

The Sunday, November 27th New York Times' Sunday Review Section includes an article titled "Policy-Making Billionaires" (see link below) which offers interesting views regarding a very current trend. After reading it, summarize the article in the blog and post your opinion. Discuss your views in class for extra credit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/27/sunday-review/policy-making-billionaires.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Is this Leftist for Real?

The Sunday, November 20th's New York Times Magazine includes an article titled "Heaven Is a Place Called Elizabeth Warren." In addition to stating that Warren is a former Republican, article mentions her passion and her stated reasons for running for the Senate. After reading the article and summarizing it, give your views and state some of the things that surprised you aboutt the article


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/magazine/heaven-is-a-place-called-elizabeth-warren.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=magazine

Are We Moving into a New Era?

Renowned intellectual Jeffrey Sachs opines in the Sunday, November 13th's New York Times' piece titled "The New Progressive Movement" (see link below) that "a third progressive era is likely to be in the making." After reading the article, summarize the piece and state your views in the blog. Be ready to comment before the class for extra credit points.



http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/opinion/sunday/the-new-progressive-movement.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

The Sunday, November 6th issue of The New York Times' Sunday Review's section includes an article titled "Our Reckless Meritocracy" in which author states that: "for the last 10 years, we've watched this same elite lead us off a cliff - mostly by being too smart to its own good." After reading the piece (see link below) and analyzing it, post your comments and opinions on the blog and be ready to discuss these in class.



http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/opinion/sunday/douthat-our-reckless-meritocracy.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

The Sunday, October 23rd New York Times' Sunday Review Section includes an article tiled "Will Dropouts Save America" which addresses the unconventionality related to entrepreneurialism and job creation in the United States. After reading the article (see link below) summarize it and state your opinion in the blog. Be ready to discuss it in class.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/opinion/sunday/will-dropouts-save-america.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Can We Employ Marketing Tools to Solve Social Ills?

The Sunday, August 16th New York Times' Sunday Business Section includes an article titled "Welcome, Fans, to the Pinking of America" (see link below) which recounts the history of the Susan G. Komen program. After reading the article; summarizing it and commeting on it in the blog, be ready to discuss it in class.



http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/business/in-the-breast-cancer-fight-the-pinking-of-america.html?_r=1&ref=business

Are We Lacking in Innovation? Surely We Could Use More Jobs (as in Steve)

The October 9th New York Times' and Miami Herald's Opinion Pages, respectivily, include articles related to the late Steve Jobs' life and innovations. After reading both articles: "Steve Jobs Might Have Failed Abroad" and "Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?" (see links below) which often interesting, albeit contrasting views related to out economy, politics and entrepreneurial tradition, summarize the articles andwrite your opinion on the blog and be ready to discuss it.





http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/08/2443750/steve-jobs-may-have-failed-abroad.html


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/opinion/sunday/friedman-where-have-you-gone-joe-dimaggio.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Where%20Have%20You%20Gone,%20Joe%20DiMaggio?&st=cse

Is Technology the Answer to Better Education?

The Miami Herald's Sunday, October 2nd's Issues & Ideas page includes an article (see link below) which suggests that technology could be the answer to bettering eduacational attainment for some students. After reading the article, summarize it and give your opinion in the blog.



http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/02/2433747/new-tech-tools-in-classroom-can.html

Can "Tampering with the Electoral College" be considered "political"

The Sunday, September 25th New York Times carries an editorial (see link below) titled "Tampering with the Electoral College." After reading the piece - and perhaps familiariling yourself with the workings of the Electoral College - state your views regarding what Pennsylvania wants to do and say why you agree or disagre with the Times' editorial.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/opinion/sunday/tampering-with-the-electoral-college.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Is the Pension System for Municipal Employees Fair?

The Miami Herald started a series this Sunday, September 18th which deals with how government employees' pensions are creating problems that cost taxpayers money and can potentially damage municipalities. The first article of the series, Pension Bonanza (see link below), details the problem and cites specific examples. After reading the article, post your comments and be ready to discuss them in class.


http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/17/2412472/municipal-pensions-a-bonanza-for.html

What Should Obama Do If He is to Join Other One-Term Presidents?

Princeton University's History Professor Julian Zelizer ponders, in the Sunday, September 11th's New York Times' Week in Review section, about the distinct possibility that President Obama might not get reelected in 2012 and suggests things he can do to create a lasting legacy. After reading the article (see link below) and summarizing in the blog, comment about it. Be ready to discuss the article and your thoughts in class if you want in a class for which you can earn extra credit for the activity,.




http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/opinion/sunday/if-obama-is-a-one-term-president.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=If%20Obama%20is%20a%20One-Term%20President&st=cse

Are We Really "Middle Class?" Who's Below Us?

The Sunday, September 4th New York Times' Sunday Review Section includes an article by former Secretary of Labor Otto Reich in which he discusses the economy and the problems we encounter to get it jumpt started again. After reading it, commment about it stating what the author's views are as well as yours.


http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html#sundayreview

Are we too harsh on sex offenders?

The Sunday, August 21st New York Times' Opinion Section includes an article tiled "Sex Offenders: The Last Pariahs" in which the author exposes views and relates information about sex offenders and about the efficacy of our laws that address sexual crimes. After reading the article (see link below) comment on the blog.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/opinion/sunday/sex-offenders-the-last-pariahs.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Why is it that 'We're Spent'?

The New York Times' Sunday Review Section includes an article whose title: "We're Spent" discusses the economic problem we are facing today. After reading the article and summarizing it in the blog by stating what the article claims are the economic problems we face, be prepare to discuss the article in class for extra credit points.



http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/sunday-review/17economic.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Redemption in Birmingham... is a pardon in order?

The Sunday, July 10th New York Times' Opinion Section includes an article titled "Redemption in Birmingham" which questions whether mercy is "due a Birminghman man whose 11-year old died in a 1963 Klan church bombing. After reading the article, post your opinion in the blog and state why you feel the way you do. Be ready to discuss the article and your opinion in class for extra credit.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/opinion/sunday/10birmingham.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Are These People Out of Touch?

The Sunday, July 3rd Miami Herald's Opinion Section includes a piece by nationally syndicated columnnist Cal Thomas about the Supreme Court Justices' ruling in a First Amendment-related case. After reading the article (see link) and familiarizing yourself with the current Supreme Court members; their responsibilities and how their rulings affect us, post your comments on the blog and be ready to speak about your knwoledgeable opinions in class for extra credit.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/02/2295768/justices-dont-live-in-the-real.html

Does College Pay Off Even for Cashiers?

The Sunday, June 26th New York Times' Sunday Review section includes an article titled "Even for Cashiers College Pays Off" in which the author argues that despite the rising costs of attending college, doing so pays off. After reading the article (the link below will take you to the article), summarize it and state your comments on the blog. Talk about the article and your opinion about it in class for five extra credit points.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/sunday-review/26leonhardt.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Do We Understand the Budget Debate?

The Sunday, April 17th'z "Weekend in Review" Section of the New York Times includes an article titled "The Budget Debate, Revealed." After reading and interpreting the article, summarize it and write your opinion in the blog. Be ready to discuss your interpretation and thoughts in class for extra credit.

Are Corporate CEOs in Public Companies Worth Their Salaries?

The Sunday, April 10th New York Times' Business Section includes an article (see link) titled "The Drought Is Over (At Lest for C.E.O.s)" which discusses the return of the huge paycheck for CEOs in American public companies. After reading the article and summarizing it, state your views in the blog. Be prepared to discuss the article and your opinions in class for extra credit points.

Are Un-Paid Internships a form a Exploitation? Who Benefits from Them?

The Sunday, April 3rd New York Times' Opinion Section includes an article titled "Unpaid Interns, Complicit Colleges" which examine the issue of un-paid internships for college students and the possibility that these internships may unfairly help the employer and university to the detriment of students. After reading and summarizing the article(see link)state your views and be ready to share these in class for extra credit points.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/opinion/03perlin.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Does Social Security Need to be Fixed?

The Miami Herald's Sunday, March 27th Opinion Section includes an article titled "Why Social Security Must be Fixed" (see link) in which its author claims that Social Security favors "middle and high earners over less well-off retirees." After reading the article, state why the author makes that claim and state your personal opinion

Would "Structural Changes" help fix our problems in Miami Dade County?

Miami Herald columnnist Myriam Marquez has a piece in the Sunday, March 20th Miami Herald's Local Section which discusses the county charter (see link). After reading the article and perhaps researching (on line, if you wish) pertinent topics with which you may not be familiar, i.e. commissioners' salaries, etc., summarize the article and write your comments.

What Does it Take to be a "Better Boss?"

The Sunday, March 13th's Business Section of The New York Times includes an article titled "The Quest to Build a Better Boss" which recounts Google's "Project Oxygen," which intended to find the characteristics of what most employees call the better boss. After reading the article (see link above and below) and summarizing it in the blog, state your opinion. Be ready to discuss the article and your thoughts in class if you want to have the chance of earning five extra credit points.




http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/business/13hire.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

Is Money the Answer to Better Education? Why? Why not?

The Miami Herald's Sunday, March 6th's Other Views' section includes two pieces (see links above and below), one by MDC's president Eduardo Padron and the other by Florida's former governor Jeb Bush, that address the topic of education. Read both pieces and after summarizing them express your views in the blog. Be ready to discuss your views in class if you wish to earn five points extra credit


http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/06/2098433/padron-you-get-what-you-pay-for.html

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/06/2098423/bush-florida-leads-way-in-school.html

Should We Give into Pirates?

The New York Times' Sunday, February 27th Week in Review's Section includes an article titled "Suddenly, a Rise in Piracy's Price," which recounts some of the problems the U.S. faces with piracy, starting more than 200 years ago. After reading the article and familiarizing yourself with historical events mentioned in it, summarize the article and post your comments. Be ready to intellegently discuss the article; the historical references and your opinions in class if you wish to earn five points extra credit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/weekinreview/27pirates.html?_r=1&ref=weekinreview

Are military governments to be trusted?

The New York Times’ Sunday, February 20th Week in Review section includes an article (see link above and below) titled “When Armies Decide” which comments on the perils of transitional and especially military governments such as the one in Egypt now after the departure of Mubarak. Read the article and, after familiarizing with the names mentioned in the article, post your views on the blog. Be ready to intelligently discuss the article and your views in class for five points extra credit.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/weekinreview/20military.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=when%20armies%20decide&st=cse

Are there Pros and Cons to Magnet Schools?

The Miami Herald's Sunday, February 13th's Local Section includes and article titled "Real World Training" (see link above and below) in which its author interviews parents and students in magnet programs. After reading the article, summarize it in the blog and state your opinions regarding the pros and cons of magnet programs. Be ready to discuss the article and your views in class if you want to receive extra credit

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/12/2062813/magnet-schools-preparation-for.html

How Partisan Are We as a Nation? Does it Apply to the Supreme Court Also?

The Sunday, February 6th New York Times' Weekend in Review Section includes an article titled "Do the Judicial Math" in which the author ponders whether the Supreme Court will "lose legitimacy if it strikes dow the health care law along partisan lines." After reading the article and familiarizing yourself with the issue, post your blog and be ready to discuss your views and the article in class for five extra credit points.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/weekinreview/06liptak.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Do%20the%20Judicial%20Math&st=cse

Do Tehcnological Innovations Better Our Lives? Or Are They Just Fun?

The Sunday, January 30th New York Times' Business Section includes an article titled "Innovation is Doing Little for Incomes" (see link above and below) in which the author comments on the differences between technological innovations of 100 years ago and those of today. Read and summarize the article in the blog and give your opinions. Be ready to present before the class if you want to receive up to five points extra credit.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/business/30view.html?_r=1&ref=business

Can the Wrong Type of Parenting Irrovocably Hurt Kids?

The Sunday, January 23rd Miami Herald's Opinion Section includes an article titled "Teaching Kids to be Their Best" in which Washington Post writer Ruth Marcus comments about two controversial books about parenting. After reading the article (see link above and below) comment on both parenting philosophies and both books and explain what are the implications of either and why one is better than the other

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/23/2029533/teaching-kids-to-be-their-best.html

Famous? Hype? Is it Realistic? Have Our Values Changed?

The Sunday, January 16th Miami Herald's Issues & Ideas Section includes a piece by columnist Leonard Pitt about former homelessman Ted Williams and his rapid ascent to fame. After reading the article (see link above and below) summarize the piece and then write the summary and your comment in the blog. Be prepare to discuss the piece and your views in class.



http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/15/2018324/offramp-to-fame-pitted-with-potholes.html

Is The Constitutions "Timeless?" How Should it be Interpreted?

The Sunday, January 9th New York Times' Week in Review section includes an aticle titled "If Scalia Had His Way" (see link about and below) about Judge Antonin Scalia's and other Supreme Court Justices' "originalist" interpretation of the Constitution. Read the article and after summarizing it, state your opinion in the blog. After posting your comments, be prepared to discuss your opinion in class if you wish to receive five extra credit points.





http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/weekinreview/09rosen.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=Scalia&st=cse

Are Two Year Programs Better?

The Miami Herald's Sunday, January 2nd edition includes an article titled "One Way to Start At a Higther Salary" (see link above and below) which comments about the earning of students who graduate with different types of degrees. After reading the article and summarizing it, interpret the findinds and comment about it in the blog. Be prepared to share your comments in class if you want to receive extra credit points.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/01/1996875/study-less-earn-more-at-least.html